COLUMBIA, SC — A “career offender” associated with the Bloods criminal gang has been sentenced to 15 years, 8 months in prison on drug and weapons charges, the US Attorney’s Office in Columbia said.

Travis Santel “Jap” Dwyer, 29, Columbia, was sentenced by US District Judge Joseph Anderson Jr. following conviction based on an August guilty plea. Dwyer, a self-described Bloods member, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute crack.

The US Attorney’s Office said evidence presented at the August hearing included the results of a Columbia Police Department search of a River Drive residence where Dwyer and two others were found with crack, marijuana and a loaded Taurus .40 caliber firearm.

Dwyer’s previous convictions were on charges of possession with intent to distribute crack, first and second offenses.

Kelly Davis